I boutht a reese hitch at a yard sale for $20. It was 37", i cut it down to 34" by taking out an inch and a half from each side and welding it back together. It worked out great, and cleared the spare tire carrier. Now I'm thinking I would like to have a rear bumper. So my question to you all is this. I have a spare front bumper, what I would like to do is, I have a stash of 2" square tube, and I think I can weld about 6-8" to the inside of the bumper and slide it into the reese reciever, drill the hole in the appropriate spot and have a removable bumper when I want the hitch. Now will the bumper flex or viberate by only being mounted to the reese reciever. Let me know what you all think, I may start on it tomorrow afternoon. Oh, one more thing, does the stock bumper cover any part of the liscense plate? Thanks to any and all that respond.

 

Can you make some kind of supports the bumper would engage out by the ends of the frame or I think it would rattle or move?

 

Like already stated, without some additional supports on the outside of the bumper it will shake like nobody's business. There is so much slop on the standard receiver hitch that it is not even funny.

 

A friend of mine has one of those cargo carriers that slides into his hitch and it rattles like crazy. Especially when it's empty.

 

I have something similar to what you plan. I built a very simple step that allows me to get onto the flatbed of my F350 and my F4. The step is pinned in place and held forward with a bungee cord. It probably rattles but I don't hear it. If I were concern about the sloppy fit, I would lay a bead of weld along the insert and grind to fit. I say, go for it.

 

I think its a great idea and yes the stock rear bumper covers part of the license plate